Automatic threading shuttle



Oct. 1957 J. w. CHALMERS ETAL 2,81

AUTOMATIC 'rmmnmc snumm Filed July 18, 1955 INVEN T 0R5 JOSEPH W CHALMERS BY RETT Possy THo/vms ATTORNEY United States PatentQ AUTOMATIC THREADING SHUTTLE Joseph W. Chalmers and Everett Posey Thomas, Williamston, S. C.

Application July 18, 1955, Serial No. 522,719

11 Claims. (Cl. 139-217) This invention relates to loom shuttles and more particularly to an improved automatic threading shuttle including a novel construction making it possible to 'control the tension on the yarn on the first pick after a change operation and further making it possible to thread the shuttle completely on the second pick so that there is no possibility of the yarn becoming disengaged from the shuttle eye thereafter.

' It has long been contended that the filling yarn extends over the forward tip of the shuttle along the longitudinal axis of the shuttle after a transfer operation in which an exhausted bobbin is replaced by a full bobbin. Considerable investigation has revealed that this is not true of what is commonly called a center fork loom. This is not true because the filling must be attached to the filling guide, and the filling guide so positioned that the filling is pulled at an angle to the fell so that the filling yarn will properly fit under the filling fork so as to prevent false stoppage of the loom. Therefore, shuttles which have been in general use, heretofore, have been provided with guides positioned to accommodate the filling as though it were running longitudinally of the shuttle. Thus the filling yarn had to slide over the tip of the shuttle for about one-half an inch before being received into the receiving slot or channel. During this time the tension on the yarn is uncontrolled causing false stoppage of the loom due to a slack filling or breakage of the filling if too much tension is exerted thereon. Most shuttles presently in use rely on fur as a means of exerting the required tension on the filling. This fur has proved incapable of providing the desired uniformity of tension and has been subject to rapid wear.

Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide an improved automatic threading shuttle which will receive the filling along the natural path of the filling immediately following a transfer of bobbins in order to bring the yarn under control as soon as the shuttle starts moving on the first pick after transfer to thus eliminate breaking of the filling on the first and second picks after the transfer and to eliminate false stoppage of the loom due to a slack pick.

Another object of this invention is to provide means for controlling the tension exerted on the filling yarn on the first pick after the transfer independently of the means for controlling the tension on subsequent picks so as to provide the same tension on the first pick as on all picks thereafter.

Another object of this invention is to provide means for preventing the yarn from jumping out of the shuttle eye while operating so as to obviate the necessity of employing high grade fur for this purpose and for providing tension on the yarn and to prolong the life of the fur used by eliminating its function for these purposes.

Still another object of this invention is the preventing the filling yarn from being subjected to varying tension which would be exerted due to crooked bobbins by placing the filling normally under the control of spring biased horizontally disposed properly aligned pads.

We accomplish these and other objects of'our invention. by providing an automatic threading shuttle including a yarn guide in the form of a slot in the shuttle, positioned on the delivery side of the shuttle and in alignment with the natural position of the weft yarn immediately following a bobbin change operation, said guide extending from a point adjacent the tip and at the side of the shuttle and terminating at about said longitudinal axis, a threading block including a horn, a longitudinal yarn channel within said block positioned about midway between the longitudinal axis and the edge of the shuttle, a pair of metal pads positioned in said channel, said pads including a pair of vertical arms extending downwardly and a pair of horizontal arms integral therewith and extending laterally at right angles thereto in the medial portion of the shuttle, resilient means urging adjacent portions of said arms together, a lateral extension of said yarn guide which extends downwardly and terminates in the medial portion of the shuttle, and a yarn delivery 'eye positioned in the lower portion of said horn and above said lateral extension. Also provided is a continuation of said horn surface forming a hook-like protuberance extending below the lower portion of said lateral extension serving to guide the yarn into the eye and to prevent it from coming out of the eye whereby, the yarn comes under control of the vertical arms as soon as the shuttle starts moving on the first pick and the yarn is always under uniform tension since it comes under control of the horizontal pads at the commencement of the second pick.

While some of the objects have been stated above, others will become apparent to those skilled in the art relating to shuttles when the specification is read in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing our improved shuttle,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the threading block in solid lines and the shuttle body in broken lines,

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 in Fig. l, and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 in Fig. 3.

' Referring now more particularly to the drawing a shuttle body which is in most respects of standard construction is broadly designated at 10. The usual bobbin chamber is indicated at 12 and a bobbin 14 is shown disposed in the medial portion thereof. A cut out portion or chamber 16 is provided in the forward portion and somewhat to the delivery side of the shuttle as will be noted particularly in Fig. 1.

- A threading block broadly designated at 20 is fixedly positioned within the cut out 16 as by the screw 22. It will be noted by reference to Figs. 1 and 2 that a horn 24, which is positioned about midway between the longitudinal axis of the shuttle and the side thereof, is provided to serve to guide the yarn into delivery means as will be set out in greater detail below.

A yarn guide in the form of a slot 26 in the shuttle body is positioned preferably at an angle of about 5 to 10 degrees with the longitudinal axis of the shuttle and extends from a point adjacent the tip and at the side of the shuttle to about the medial portion thereof. It is to be especially noted that the yarn guide 26 follows and is in alignment with the weft yarn immediately following the bobbin change operation and is, therefore, positioned :on the delivery side of the shuttle in alignment with the yarn channel as further described below. As was indi cated above this positioning of the yarn is brought about 'by advancing the yarn guide or red head (not shown) so that the filling or weft yarn is at an angle to the fell in order to prevent the center fork stop motion from initiating a false stoppage of the loom. A lateral extension of the yarn guide 26 is designated at 26a and extends downwardly somewhatbelow the longitudinal axis 3 of the shuttle and provides a passageway for the yarn between the horn 24 and the shuttle body 10.

The threading block is provided with a rounded portion 20a over which the yarn may pass into' a longitudinal channel or slot 2 8, which is a 'cut out portion of the threading block 20, so as to provide an aligned passageway for the yarn between the threading block and the shuttle body 10. A vertical notch is provided in the threading block 20 in the medial portion of the longitudinal channel 28 and a corresponding notch 32 is provided in the shuttle body 10. It will be noted by reference to Figs. 2, 3, and 4 that a horizontally disposed, lateral slot 30a is provided in the threading block 20 in the medial portion of the shuttle and in transverse alignment with the notch 30 so as to be in alignment with the filling being fed from the bobbin 14 and to serve as a channel therefor. A cut out portion 20b is provided within the threading block 20 and the usual steel pin means 200 are provided therein for guiding the filling.

A pair of metal pads 34 and 36 are positioned in the notches 30 and 32 respectively :and include vertical arms 34a and 36a respectively. Also included is a pair of horizontal arms 34b and 36b whch are preferably integral therewith and extend laterally at right angles thereto in alignment with the slot 30a. The arms 34b and 36b are slid-ably mounted on a suitable vertical pin 38.

Resilient means, normally urging adjacent portions of the arms 34a, 36a, 34b and 36b together, are provided in the form of coil springs, disposed at right angles to the arms, 34c, 36c, 34d and 3611, respectively. It will be noted by reference to Fig. 4 that threadable means are provided for adjusting the pressure to be exerted on the arms 34a and 36a in the form of a suitable screw 40 which is positioned in a threaded hole 40a within the shuttle body 10 within which the coil spring 360 is also positioned. A suitable recess 40b is provided to house the coil spring 340 within the threading block and in alignment with the coil spring c. Means for adjusting the pressure to be exerted against the horizontal arms 34]) and 35b is also provided in the form of a suitable screw 42 which is positioned within a vertically disposed threaded hole 42a within the threading block 29 within which the coil spring 34d is positioned. A suitable recess 42b is provided to house the coil spring 36d in vertical alignment with the coil spring 34d.

If desired some suitable means could readily be devised for controlling the pressure exerted by the coil springs 34c and 36d but it has been found that the adjustable means recited above are adequate to control the tension to be exerted by the pads 34 and 36 on the filling. It will be noted by reference to Fig. 4 that the horizontal arms or pads 34b and 36b are provided with diverging lips 34e and 36a respectively so as to obviate any possibility of the filling becoming entangled with the coil springs 34d and 36d. If desired similar lips could be provided in connection with the vertical arms or pad elements 34a and 36a but this has not been found to be necessary. Diverging arms 34) and 36 are provided at the top of the vertical arms 34:! and 36a to provide a smooth surface for yarn entering the channel 28.

In operation, at the commencement of the first pick after the transfer has taken place and the loom is on top center the shuttle moves out of the shuttle box (not shown) and the filling F extends diagonally across the shuttle as shown in solid lines in Fig. 1. By the time the first convolution of yarn is pulled oif the bobbin 14 the filling F is guided, by the slot 26 and the forward surface of the horn 24, between the vertical pads 34a and 36a and immediately brought under control thereby. Since the tension to be exerted on the filling F may be adjusted by the screw 49 the same tension may be placed on the yarn F on the first pick after transfer as may be placed thereon on subsequent picks by virtue of the fact that the shuttle is immediately threaded. It should be noted-at this point that this is equally true of both regular and reverse wound filling. At the conclusion of the first pick the filling F has been pulled down and is under control of the horizontal pads 34b :and 36b and upon commencement of the second pick the filling F is guided by the horn through the passageway 26a between the horn 24 and the shuttle body 10 and beneath the protuberance or hook like portion 24a into a thread delivery eye 24!; as shown in broken lines in Figs. 1 and 2. It will be observed that the filling F now passes, as shown in broken lines in Fig. 1 from the bobbin 14, between the horizontal arms 34b and 36b and out of the delivery eye 24b which in connection with the protuberance 2.4a forms a trap therefor to prevent the filling from becoming unthreaded.

It is thus seen that our improved automatic threading shuttle eliminates a major cause of broken picks on the first and second pick after the transfer and :also prevents slack picks causing seconds and false stoppage of the 100111. All this is accomplished by means of simple sturdy structural elements which require little adjustment and yet provide positive uniform control of the tension on the yarn at all times. The parts are little affected by wear and may be constructed and assembled in a simplefashion.

While a preferred embodiment of our invention 'has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the prior art as set forth in the following claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. An automatic threading shuttle comprising a threading block having a horizontal lateral transversely extending slot therein disposed in the normal path of yarn delivery during weaving, elongated aligned elements forming horizontal transversely extending pad surfaces positioned within said slot, resilient means urging said pad surfaces together, and means for threading the shuttle so as to bring the yarn between and thus under control of the pad surfaces, whereby uniform tension may normally be exerted on the yarn during the'weaving operation.

2. An automatic threading shuttle as set forth in claim 1, including means for adjusting the pressure exerted by said resilient means thereby permitting adjustment of the tension on the yarn.

3. An automatic threading shuttle comprising, a threading block having a horizontal slot therein disposed in the normal path of yarn delivery, a longitudinal yarn channel within said block positioned in substantial alignment with the natural position of the weft yarn immediately following an automatic bobbin change operation, a pair of tension pads positioned in said channel, said pads including a pair of downwardly extending arms disposed within said channel and a pair of horizontal arms extending laterally within said slot, resilient means urging adjacent portions of said arms together, and means for threading the shuttle so as to bring the yarn between and thus under control of the vertical arms as soon as the shuttle starts moving on the first pick and under control of the horizontal arms at the commencement of the second pick, whereby the yarn is always under uniform tension.

4. An automatic threading shuttle as set forth in claim 3, including threadable means for adjusting the pressure exerted by said resilient means, whereby the tension exerted by the pads on the yarn may be adjusted.

5. An automatic threading shuttle comprising, a yarn guide in the form of a slot in the shuttle positioned in substantial alignment with the natural position of the weft yarn immediately following an automatic bobbin change operation, a threading block, having a horizontal slot in the medial portion thereof, a longitudinal yarn channel within said block also in substantial alignment with the natural position of the weft yarn immediately following a bobbin change operation, a pair of tension pads positioned in said channel, said pads including a pair of downwardly extending arms disposed within said channel and a pair of horizontal arms extending laterally at right angles thereto within said slots, resilient means urging adjacent portions of said arms together, a lateral extension of said yarn guide which extends downwardly and terminates in the medial portion of the shuttle and a yarn delivery eye positioned in substantially horizontal alignment with the horizontal arms, whereby the yarn comes under control of the vertical pads as soon as the shuttle starts moving on the first pick and the yarn is always under uniform tension since it comes under control of the horizontal pads at the commencement of the second pick.

6. An automatic threading shuttle comprising, a yarn guide in the form of a slot in the shuttle positioned at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the shuttle and in alignment with the natural position of the weft yarn immediately following a bobbin change operation, said guide extending from a point adjacent the tip and at the side of the shuttle and terminating at about said longitudinal axis, a threading block including a horn, a longitudinal yarn channel within said block positioned about midway between the longitudinal axis and the edge of the shuttle, a pair of metal tension pads positioned in said channel, said pads including a pair of downwardly extending arms and a pair of horizontal arms integral therewith and extending laterally at right angles thereto in the medial portion of the shuttle, resilient means urging adjacent portions of said arms together, a lateral extension of said yarn guide which extends downwardly and terminates in the medial portion of the shuttle, a yarn delivery eye positioned in the lower portion of said horn and above said lateral extension, and a continuation of said horn surface forming a hook-like protuberance extending below the lower portion of said lateral extension serving to guide the yarn into the eye and to prevent it from coming out of the eye, whereby the yarn comes under control of the vertical pads as soon as the shuttle starts moving on the first pick after a bobbin change operation and the yarn is always under uniform tension since it comes under control of the horizontal pads at the commencement of the second pick.

7. An automatic threading shuttle as set forth in claim 6, including threadable means for adjusting the pressure exerted by said resilient means and a pair of divergent lips carried by said horizontal arms in order to prevent the yarn from becoming entangled in said resilient means.

8. An automatic threading shuttle comprising, a yarn guide in the form of a slot in the shuttle positioned at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the shuttle and in alignment with the natural position of the weft yarn immediately following a bobbin change operation, said guide extending from a point adjacent the tip and at the side of the shuttle and terminating at about said longitudinal axis, a threading block including a horn, a longitudinal yarn channel within said block positioned about midway between the longitudinal axis and the edge of the shuttle, a pair of aligned tension pads positioned in said channel, resilient means urging adjacent portions of said pads together, a lateral extension of said yarn guide which extends downwardly and terminates adjacent the medial portion of the shuttle, and a yarn delivery eye positioned in the lower portion of said horn and above said lateral extension, whereby the yarn comes under control of the tension pads as soon as the shuttle starts moving on the first pick after a bobbin change operation.

9. In an automatic threading shuttle having a threading block, the improvement including, a horizontal transversely extending slot within the threading block, said slot being disposed in the normal path of yarn delivery during weaving, a pair of tension pads, a pair of horizontal transversely extending pad surfaces carried by said pads disposed within said slot, and means threading said shuttle so as to bring the yarn between and thus under control of the horizontal transversely extending pad surfaces.

10. In an automatic threading shuttle having a threading block, the improvement including, a yarn channel within said threading block disposed in the normal path of yarn delivery during threading, a horizontal transversely extending slot extending from said channel in the normal path of yarn delivery during weaving, a pair of tension pads, and a pair of horizontal transversely extending pad surfaces carried by said pads disposed within said slot to control yarn tension during weaving.

11. In an automatic threading shuttle having a threading block, the improvement including, a yarn channel within said threading block disposed in the normal path of yarn delivery during threading, a horizontal slot extending from said channel in the normal path of yarn delivery during weaving, a pair of tension pads disposed in said yarn channel having a pair of transversely extending horizontal arms disposed in said slot to control yarn tension during weaving.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,776,896 Fuller Sept. 30, 1930 2,046,287 Burdett June 30, 1936 2,224,097 Burdett Dec. 3, 1940 

